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Brady throws for 4 TDs, Patriots beat Dolphins 35-17
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Rob Gronkowski was upset that he didn't get to sample any of the biscuits Tom Brady made for Thanksgiving.
They worked it out on Sunday.
Brady tossed four TD passes - including two to Gronkowski - and the New England Patriots pushed through injuries and a mistake-filled game for a 35-17 victory over the sliding Miami Dolphins.
''Anything (Gronkowski) wants I try to get for him,'' Brady said. ''So anything to keep him happy.''
New England (9-2) posted its seventh consecutive victory and third straight win over Miami. The Dolphins (4-7) have lost five straight for their longest slide since 2011.
It was Brady's 28th career game with four or more touchdown passes - ranking third all-time. His 26 touchdowns passes are the most ever in a season after turning 40 years old.
Rex Burkhead also scored two TDs and Dion Lewis had 15 carries for 112 yards for New England, marking his first career 100-yard game. The Patriots went 5 for 5 in the red zone.
''We know our biggest games are ahead of us,'' Brady said. ''All the good teams are gonna start playing really well. We've gotta be one of those teams.''
Miami got within 28-17 in the fourth quarter, but came up empty on a fourth-down pass play with 8:48 left. On the ensuing series, the Patriots scored on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Brandin Cooks.
The Dolphins played without quarterback Jay Cutler, who practiced Friday, but remained in the concussion protocol.
Matt Moore struggled to find a rhythm in his second start of the season. He completed 23 of 34 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown, but also had two interceptions. He was sacked seven times.
Despite the losing streak, Moore said the locker room is staying together.
''The overall pulse is OK. I mean, the world's not ending,'' he said. ''But it's not what we want, for sure.''
Miami also lost more key players to injury.
Running back Damien Williams was carted off the field in the third quarter with a shoulder injury following an 11-yard run. Return man Senorise Perry was placed in the concussion protocol after what appeared to be a helmet-to-helmet collision with New England's Trevor Reilly on a second-half kickoff return.
The Patriots got tricky to set up their first score, using a fourth-down run by Nate Ebner on a fake punt to keep their opening drive alive. Burkhead finished it with a 2-yard touchdown run.
Following a quick three-and-out by Miami, New England made it 14-0 via a 5-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Gronkowski.
Miami rebounded late in the second quarter, taking advantage of a rare self-inflicted mistake by New England.
Patriots center Ted Karras sent a second-down shotgun snap flying past Brady , who was not ready for the ball. It was scooped up by Dolphins safety Reshad Jones and returned for a touchdown.
Karras was filling in for David Andrews, who sat out for the second straight week with an illness.
But New England bounced right back. A pair of defensive holding penalties, a 27-yard pass from Brady to Cooks and a 22-yard run by Burkhead helped the Patriots drive to the Dolphins 1. Two plays later, Brady hit Burkhead for a 1-yard score to push the lead to 21-7.
ANGER MANAGEMENT
Miami cornerback Bobby McCain was ejected for throwing a punch at New England receiver Danny Amendola.
McCain and Amendola got into it at the bottom of the pile early in the second half. McCain, who intercepted Brady in the second quarter, was called for unnecessary roughness and thrown out for throwing the punch. He had a few words for the referee as he left the field, and then was walked off toward the Dolphins locker room.
The penalty put the Patriots at the Miami 12. Two plays later, Brady found Gronkowski for a 15-yard TD and a 28-10 lead.
MOVING ON UP
It was the 16th multi-touchdown game by Gronkowski, setting a franchise record. Randy Moss held the old record with 15.
INJURIES
Dolphins: DE Terrence Fede was helped off the field after being injured in the scrum during Jones' fumble recovery touchdown run.
Patriots: Ebner left with a knee injury after his fake punt run in the first quarter. ... Reilly left with a head injury after the collision with Perry. ... DL Trey Flowers (ribs) and LB Marquis Flowers left in the third quarter after a collision. ... OL LaAdrian Waddle left in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. ... LB Kyle Van Noy (leg) was able to walk off the field on his own after he was shaken up in the fourth.
UP NEXT
Dolphins: Return home to host the Broncos next Sunday.
Patriots: Play first of three straight road games at Buffalo next Sunday.
---
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Copyright 2017 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
M. Moore
8 QB 215 PaYds, PaTD, 2 INTs, 9 RuYds |
10
FPTS
|
|
T. Brady
12 QB 227 PaYds, 4 PaTDs, INT, -4 RuYds |
29
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
M. MooreĀ
8 QB
10 FPTS
|
M. Moore | 23/34 | 215 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. WilliamsĀ
26 RB
4 FPTS
|
D. Williams | 8 | 38 | 0 | 11 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. DrakeĀ
32 RB
8 FPTS
|
K. Drake | 9 | 20 | 0 | 13 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. MooreĀ
8 QB
10 FPTS
|
M. Moore | 2 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. LandryĀ
14 WR
7 FPTS
|
J. Landry | 9 | 8 | 70 | 0 | 15 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. ThomasĀ
89 TE
5 FPTS
|
J. Thomas | 6 | 5 | 52 | 0 | 17 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. StillsĀ
10 WR
4 FPTS
|
K. Stills | 6 | 3 | 47 | 0 | 28 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. DrakeĀ
32 RB
8 FPTS
|
K. Drake | 4 | 3 | 27 | 1 | 17 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. WilliamsĀ
26 RB
4 FPTS
|
D. Williams | 5 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. ParkerĀ
11 WR
0 FPTS
|
D. Parker | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
R. JonesĀ
20 FS
|
R. Jones | 9-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. TimmonsĀ
94 OLB
|
L. Timmons | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. ThomasĀ
31 SS
|
M. Thomas | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. VernerĀ
42 DB
|
A. Verner | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. AlonsoĀ
47 MLB
|
K. Alonso | 3-6 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. AllenĀ
59 OLB
|
C. Allen | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. WakeĀ
91 DE
|
C. Wake | 3-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. GodchauxĀ
56 DT
|
D. Godchaux | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. TankersleyĀ
30 CB
|
C. Tankersley | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
X. HowardĀ
25 CB
|
X. Howard | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. PhillipsĀ
97 DT
|
J. Phillips | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. AikensĀ
35 FS
|
W. Aikens | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BranchĀ
50 DE
|
A. Branch | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ParkerĀ
11 WR
|
D. Parker | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. McCainĀ
28 CB
|
B. McCain | 1-1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. LandryĀ
14 WR
|
J. Landry | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. StillsĀ
10 WR
|
K. Stills | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. TaylorĀ
96 DT
|
V. Taylor | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. SuhĀ
93 DT
|
N. Suh | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. AnthonyĀ
44 OLB
|
S. Anthony | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. McDonaldĀ
22 SS
|
T. McDonald | 1-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. FedeĀ
78 DE
|
T. Fede | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. LucasĀ
21 SS
|
J. Lucas | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. HarrisĀ
90 DE
|
C. Harris | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. ParkeyĀ
1 K
5 FPTS
|
C. Parkey | 1/1 | 28 | 2/2 | 5 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. HaackĀ
16 P
|
M. Haack | 5 | 41.6 | 2 | 56 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. GrantĀ
19 WR
0 FPTS
|
J. Grant | 4 | 24.3 | 28 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. GrantĀ 19 WR
0 FPTS
|
J. Grant | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
T. BradyĀ
12 QB
29 FPTS
|
T. Brady | 18/28 | 227 | 4 | 1 | 29 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. LewisĀ
33 RB
11 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 15 | 112 | 0 | 25 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. BurkheadĀ
34 RB
17 FPTS
|
R. Burkhead | 13 | 50 | 1 | 22 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. EbnerĀ
43 DB
1 FPTS
|
N. Ebner | 1 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. WhiteĀ
28 RB
1 FPTS
|
J. White | 3 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. CooksĀ
14 WR
15 FPTS
|
B. Cooks | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. BradyĀ
12 QB
29 FPTS
|
T. Brady | 5 | -4 | 0 | 0 | 29 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
B. CooksĀ
14 WR
15 FPTS
|
B. Cooks | 7 | 6 | 83 | 1 | 37 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. GronkowskiĀ
87 TE
20 FPTS
|
R. Gronkowski | 8 | 5 | 82 | 2 | 21 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. DorsettĀ
13 WR
3 FPTS
|
P. Dorsett | 1 | 1 | 39 | 0 | 39 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. AmendolaĀ
80 WR
1 FPTS
|
D. Amendola | 4 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. BurkheadĀ
34 RB
17 FPTS
|
R. Burkhead | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. WhiteĀ
28 RB
1 FPTS
|
J. White | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. AllenĀ
83 TE
0 FPTS
|
D. Allen | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. LewisĀ
33 RB
11 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
J. JonesĀ
31 CB
|
J. Jones | 9-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. ChungĀ
23 SS
|
P. Chung | 9-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. LeeĀ
55 DE
|
E. Lee | 4-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Van NoyĀ
53 OLB
|
K. Van Noy | 4-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. RobertsĀ
52 OLB
|
E. Roberts | 3-1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. FlowersĀ
98 DE
|
T. Flowers | 3-1 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. ButlerĀ
21 CB
|
M. Butler | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. BrownĀ
90 DT
|
M. Brown | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HarrisĀ
45 OLB
|
D. Harris | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HarmonĀ
30 SS
|
D. Harmon | 1-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WiseĀ
91 DT
|
D. Wise | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. AmendolaĀ
80 WR
|
D. Amendola | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. GilmoreĀ
24 CB
|
S. Gilmore | 1-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. GuyĀ
93 DE
|
L. Guy | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. McCourtyĀ
32 FS
|
D. McCourty | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. FlowersĀ
59 LB
|
M. Flowers | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HollisterĀ
47 TE
|
J. Hollister | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BademosiĀ
29 CB
|
J. Bademosi | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. ReillyĀ
51 MLB
|
T. Reilly | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
S. GostkowskiĀ
3 K
5 FPTS
|
S. Gostkowski | 0/0 | 0 | 5/5 | 5 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
R. AllenĀ
6 P
|
R. Allen | 3 | 40.7 | 1 | 46 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. LewisĀ
33 RB
11 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 2 | 17.5 | 20 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. AmendolaĀ 80 WR
1 FPTS
|
D. Amendola | 3 | 1.3 | 8 | 0 |